LETTER: Hawaii alert system needs better safeguards

A false alarm that warned of a ballistic missile headed for Hawaii sent the islands into a panic Saturday, with people abandoning cars in a highway and preparing to flee their homes until officials said the cell phone alert was a mistake. (Jan. 13)
AP

An emergency notification was sent to cell phones in Hawaii to warn residents and tourists of a false missile threat.(Photo: Courtesy of FSU Women's Tennis Team)

As a longtime computer programmer, tester and systems analyst, I don't have words (well, actually I do) to describe my feelings that Hawaii will NOW implement a two-step authentication process to prevent accidental missile alerts.

Although the employee who did it is responsible, the system should not make it easy to make a mistake. Something like this requires an “Are you sure?” followed by an “Are you REALLY sure?” procedure. Who wrote that system? Who checked it? Who OK’d and paid for it? What happened to common sense?

I can only hope other systems are designed better, including the one on Donald Trump's desk.

Ted Swirsky

Erial

CLOSE

A false alarm warning of a ballistic missile heading to Hawaii sent the islands into a panic. Hawaii officials apologized repeatedly, saying the alert was sent when someone hit the wrong button during a shift change. (Jan. 13)
AP